Widdershins – Wordplay Wednesday™ 07/29/2020

What’s 475 Years to a Word? 

Traditionally, we are trained to create our masterpieces of writing with solid, common, modern, and literately accepted words.

It’s fun, however, to throw in a throwback word or phrase that may have been commonplace in writing and conversation once, and is still in the dictionary, but somehow fell out of favor, like …

WIDDERSHINS (ʹwi-dɘr-shɘnzʹ; 1545) adv. – in a left-handed, wrong, or contrary direction: counterclockwise (also withershins) – compare deasil [clockwise]. [WW #279]

Seriously … have you heard anyone use widdershins recently? It’s a wonderful word for fiction, especially when used in period character dialogue. And slipped into contemporary fiction or even creative nonfiction, widdershins is delightfully unique.

We always hope our readers are truly invested in our writing. And when encountering a word like widdershins they’re provided an opportunity for amusing rediscovery or learning of a word that has apparently trekked in-and-out of conversations for nearly five hundred years.

“That’s an absolutely widdershins way of solving the issue. It isn’t what they can do for you, it’s what you can do for them that gets attention.” It’s like calling someone asinine, in a more refined, non-threatening manner, with a sly grin. 😉

Word Challenge: WIDDERSHINS. It may feel clumsy to say, but have some fun and give this timeless word the spotlight, as you fit widdershins into your week of unique writings and clever conversations.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

Cheers to learning a new word today!

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in her Blast from Your Past series (of three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

*LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz  

Katzenjammer – Wordplay Wednesday™ 07/22/2020

Cats in Jammies?  

Love the mental image, but your cat might put up a pretty loud fuss about it. Kind of like you the morning after bingeing on a few too many libations while streaming TV shows … Wahhhhh, why did I do that? …

KATZENJAMMER (ʹkat-sɘn-,ja-mɘr; 1849) n. – 1) hangover; 2) distress; 3) a discordant clamor. [WW #278]

In my humble wordsmith opinion, because of its German partial word origin (thought to be German and Holland Dutch by some sources)—“katze” translates to cat—for English purposes I’d link katzenjammer more to its third definition, “a discordant clamor,” which cats are known for, rather than “hangover.” “Distress” comes closer, but caterwaul comes to mind, “1) to make a harsh cry; 2) to protest or complain noisily”—again, frequently linked to cats.

However, most of us 39ers (39 and Holding folks) and cartoon aficionados know katzenjammer  from a popular late 19^th century comic strip, Katzenjammer Kids, c. 1897-2006. Created by Rudolph Dirks (a German immigrant) in 1897, the American comic strip was later drawn by Harold Knerr (from 1914 to 1949).

 

The rebellious Katzenjammer Kids, who were always in trouble with the authorities, published its last strip on January 1, 2006, but you can still enjoy it in reprints by King Features Syndicate. Dirks/Knerr’s Kids is the oldest comic strip still in syndication and holds the distinction of longest-running …

What I didn’t know until now, is katzenjammer was a word in its own right quite some time before Dirks’ comic strip. There are reported word origins as early as 1821, but the dictionary notes katzenjammer putting up a clamor to be included in the English language tome, established with an 1849 origin.

Word Challenge: KATZENJAMMER. However you decide to use it, have fun with this noisy word, as you fit katzenjammer into your week of cacophonous writings and clever conversations.

Learning knows no prejudices or boundaries, and it isn’t fattening! Expanding your mind is a no-cost, simple joy. Do you feel that way too? What’s your inspiration? Share your creative genius and Wordplay Wednesday comments below.

Write first for yourself … only then can you write for others. (L.Rochelle) 

Cheers to learning a new word today!

@PenchantForPen

@Irishwriter

[LinDee Rochelle is a writer and editor by trade, and an author by way of Rock & Roll. She has published two books in her Blast from Your Past series (of three) about pioneering R&R Radio DJs. True behind-the-mic tales make GREAT Holiday and anytime Gifts available on Amazon (eBook and print): Book 1 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The First Five Years 1954-1959; and Book 2 – Rock & Roll Radio DJs: The Swinging Sixties. Coming soon … The Psychedelic Seventies!]

*LR Notes: 1) Dictionary definitions are quoted from Webster’s New World College Dictionary. Yes, we sometimes present them out of “official” context—but that’s half the fun! Think of it as “creative context.” 2) a] Recent dictionary additions to definitions include a date of first use, if known; b] words in small caps indicate “see also.” 3) Neither I (LinDee Rochelle) nor Penchant for Penning are responsible for how you use information found here, that may result in legal action.

E-N-Dzzzzzzzz